5

PART
SECONDARY DWELLINGS

Introduction

5A Site Design

SECONDARY DWELLINGS
5A.1  General
5A.2  Site Layout
5A.3  Building Setbacks and Separation

5B Access and Parking

5B.1  Access
5B.2  Car Parking Provision

5C Building Design and Sustainability

5C.1  Solar Access
5C.2  Private Open Space
5C.3  Building Envelopes
5C.4  Building and Room Sizes
5C.5  Building Appearance
5C.6  Building Services
5C.7  Visual and Acoustic Privacy
5C.8  Storage and Utility Areas

p 5-1
Ku-ring-gai Development Control Plan
SECONDARY
DWELLINGS INTRODUCTION

Under KLEP, secondary dwellings may only be proposed within R2

and E4 zones. Secondary dwellings, as defined in KLEP, provide for an
alternate housing choice within the Ku-ring-gai region.

This housing type caters for changing population demographics,

particularly extended families, ageing parents and older children
remaining at home. Secondary dwellings also give families the
opportunity to use the accommodation as a source of secondary income
in a changing economy. Secondary dwellings will provide an affordable
housing type that is compatible with the surrounding residential character.

This Part provides guidance for development of secondary dwellings to

meet the aims and objectives within the KLEP. It aims to provide a high
residential amenity for occupants of secondary dwellings, while protecting
the amenity of occupants of principal dwellings and neighbouring
dwellings. All secondary dwellings are to be integrated into the existing
single dwelling neighbourhood character through their location and
appearance, and are required to be sympathetic to the principal dwelling
in design and materials.

The contents within this Part do not, in any way, alter the need for the
principal dwelling to comply with Part 4 Dwelling Houses.

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 5A

PART
5A Site Design
5A.1  General
5A.2  Site Layout
5A.3  Building Setbacks

READ WITH
SECTION A
PART 4 - Dwelling Houses
4A.2: Building Setbacks
4A.3: Built-Upon Area
4A.4: Landscaping

SITE DESIGN
SECTION B
PART 19 - Heritage Items and Heritage Conservation Areas

SECTION C
PART 21 - General Site Design

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SECONDARY
DWELLINGS
Further controls that may apply
SECTION A
PART 4A.3 - Built-Upon Area
PART 4A.4 - Landscaping
Objectives
1 To ensure that secondary
dwellings preserve the
amenity and liveability
of the principal and
neighbouring dwellings.
2 To maintain the character
of the streetscape.
3 To ensure the secondary
dwelling does not confuse
the interpretation of a
heritage place.
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Ku-ring-gai Development Control Plan
5A.1  GENERAL
SECTION B
PART 19D.5 - Secondary Dwellings
within HCAs
Controls
1 Only one principal dwelling and one secondary dwelling is permitted
in a single lot.
2 The installation of a secondary dwelling is not to compromise the
controls stated for the principal dwelling within Part 4 of this DCP.
Parts 4A.3 and 4A.4 continue to apply to the site as a whole, and
include all development on the site (the principal dwelling, secondary
dwelling and any ancillary development).
3 All secondary dwellings are to be of a single level whether they are
detached, integrated with the principal dwelling, or above an existing
garage.
4 Where a secondary dwelling is proposed on a heritage property or in
a Heritage Conservation Area it is to comply with the requirement of
Part 19D.5 and Part 19 in general.
Note: All secondary dwelling developments are to comply with BASIX.
Note: All secondary dwelling developments are to comply with the
stormwater requirements of the principal dwelling.
 5A.2  SITE LAYOUT
5A

Further controls that may apply

SECTION C
PART 21 - General Site Design

Objectives Controls

1 To ensure the secondary
dwelling has easy access
and provides good
amenity for occupants.
2 To retain the existing Ku-
ring-gai landscape and
neighbourhood character
of a single dwelling in a
1 A secondary dwelling may be detached from the principal dwelling in
the form of:
i) a single storey separate structure located at ground level, within
the land belonging to the principal dwelling and behind the front
building line of the principal dwelling, refer Figure 5A.2-1 or;
ii) a structure located above a detached garage associated with
the principal dwelling and where the garage is behind the front

SITE DESIGN
building line, refer Figure 5A.2-2.
garden setting.
2 A secondary dwelling may be attached to the principal dwelling in
3 To ensure that the the form of:
secondary dwelling does
not adversely impact the i) a single storey addition to the principal dwelling. Refer Figure
liveability and amenity of 5A.2-3;
the principal dwelling. ii) incorporated within the principal dwelling in the form of internal
modifications to the principal dwelling on the ground floor or first
4 To ensure that the
floor. Refer Figures 5A.2-4 and 5A.2-5.
secondary dwelling does
not visually dominate the
principal dwelling.

secondary dwelling on
ground level

secondary dwelling
above detached
garage
principal dwelling

principal dwelling

building line
access to principal
dwelling building line
access to principal
dwelling

S T R E E T S T R E E T
Figure 5A.2-1: Figure 5A.2-2:
Detached secondary dwelling within the Detached secondary dwelling above a
principal dwelling site. detached garage. Ku-ring-gai Development Control Plan p 5-5
SECONDARY
DWELLINGS 5A.2 SITE LAYOUT (continued)

Controls

3 A secondary dwelling may be allowed at the front of the principal

dwelling only where it is attached to and integrated into the built form
of the principal dwelling and does not read as a separate building or
dwelling.
Note: In all cases, the secondary dwelling is to meet the set requirements.

secondary dwelling
on ground level

principal dwelling

Figure 5A.2-3:
Attached secondary
dwellings as an
extension.
S T R E E T

secondary dwelling on
ground level

secondary
dwelling on first floor

principal dwelling principal dwelling

S T R E E T S T R E E T
Figure 5A.2-4: Figure 5A.2-5:
Attached secondary dwelling incorporated within Attached secondary dwelling incorporated within
the principal dwelling on ground floor. the principal dwelling on first floor.

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Ku-ring-gai Development Control Plan
 5A.3  BUILDING SETBACKS AND SEPARATION
5A

Further controls that may apply

SECTION A
PART 4A.2 - Building
Setbacks

Objectives
1 To protect the amenity
of the occupants of the
principal dwelling, the
secondary dwelling and of
neighbouring properties.
2 To ensure the secondary
dwelling is ancillary to the
principal dwelling.
Controls
1 Street and side setbacks for secondary dwellings are to comply with
the street and side setbacks applicable to the principal dwelling as
stated within Part 4A.2. Refer Figure 5A.3-1.
2 Rear setbacks for secondary dwellings are to be a minimum of 6m
from the rear boundary. Refer Figure 5A.3-1 and Figure 5A.3-2.
3 Where there is a rear laneway or a rear street, setbacks to the lane
or street are to be consistent with the setback pattern in the lane or

SITE DESIGN
street and
3 To ensure the combined
i) consider opportunities for surveillance; and
building works (principal
and secondary dwelling) ii) consider amenity of the adjoining occupants.
will not adversely impact
the streetscape. 4 The minimum building separation between a ground floor detached
secondary dwelling and the principal dwelling is 4.0m. Refer to
4 To ensure that setbacks Figure 5A.3-2:
provide sufficient area for
access and planting.

6.0m minimum
6.0m minimum

secondary
dwelling
secondary
dwelling
4.0m minimum

side principal dwelling side side side

principal dwelling
setback setback setback setback
setback

setback
front

front

S T R E E T S T R E E T
Figure 5A.3-1: Figure 5A.3-2:
Setback controls for attached secondary Setback controls for ground floor detached
dwellings. secondary dwellings.

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SECONDARY
DWELLINGS 5A.3 BUILDING SETBACKS AND SEPARATION
(continued)

Controls

5 To ensure secondary
dwelling above garages
do not dominate or detract
from the streetscape
character.
5 Secondary dwellings will only be permitted above a detached garage
accessed from a primary or secondary street where the side setback
to the garage is 2.0m minimum from the adjoining property boundary
and where the front setback of the garage is not forward of the
principal dwelling building line. Refer Figure 5A.3-3 and Figure 5A.3-
4.

rear boundary

6.0m minimum 6.0m minimum

rear setback rear setback
secondary dwelling
above garage
2.0m minimum principal dwelling
side
side setback setback

setback
front
building line

Figure 5A.3-3:
Setback controls for secondary
dwellings above a detached garage.

S T R E E T
T

2.0m minimum
side setback

secondary dwelling
E

above garage
building line
E
secondary frontage

principal dwelling
R

side
secondary
street
setback
setback
T

setback
front

building line
S

primary frontage
Figure 5A.3-4:
Setback controls for secondary
S T R E E T
dwellings above a detached
garage accessible from a
secondary street.

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Ku-ring-gai Development Control Plan
5A.3 BUILDING SETBACKS AND SEPARATION
5A
(continued)

Controls

6 Secondary dwellings will only be permitted above a detached garage

where the rear setback to the garage is 6.0m minimum from the
adjoining property rear boundary. Refer Figure 5A.3-3.

7 Secondary dwellings above detached garages fronting a rear lane

or street are to be integrated with the existing rear line or street
character and not present as a 2 storey wall to the rear lane or
street. This may be achieved by:
i) incorporating the secondary dwelling into the garage roof form.
ii) providing a step back to the secondary dwelling above the
garage so that the garage reads as a single storey structure
facing the rear lane or street.

SITE DESIGN

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SECONDARY
DWELLINGS

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 5B

PART
5B Access and Parking
5B.1  Access
5B.2  Car Parking Provision

ACCESS AND PARKING

READ WITH
SECTION C
PART 22 - General Access and Parking
22.2: General Vehicle Access

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SECONDARY
DWELLINGS 5B.1  ACCESS

Further controls that may apply

SECTION C
PART 22 - General Access and
Parking
PART 22.2 - General Vehicle Access

Objectives Controls
1 To ensure safe and direct 1 The secondary dwelling is to have its own independent front door
access is provided to the entry. Refer to Figure 5B.1-1.
secondary dwelling from
the street. 2 Any access doorway into a secondary dwelling from within the
principal dwelling is to adhere to fire and acoustic separation
2 To allow easily identified requirements stipulated in the relevant Australian Standards.
street access points to the
secondary dwelling and 3 Secondary dwellings are to share the principal dwelling vehicular
principal dwelling. street entry point. No additional vehicular crossing will be permitted
to the primary street frontage.
3 To maximise landscaping
opportunities. 4 Access to parking spaces for both the secondary dwelling and
principal dwelling is to be via a common or shared driveway.
4 To minimise the impact
on the neighbourhood
character.

secondary
dwelling

principal dwelling principal dwelling

main
entry

entry to
secondary entry to
dwelling above secondary
main dwelling
entry

secondary
dwelling

principal dwelling

principal dwelling
main
entry
entry to
entry to secondary secondary
dwelling above main dwelling
entry

Figure 5B.1-1:
Secondary dwellings entries are subservient to the entry to the principal dwelling.

p 5-12
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 5B.1 ACCESS (continued)
5B
Controls

5 Where the principal dwelling has a secondary street frontage,

a second vehicular access for the secondary dwelling may be
considered. Refer to Figure 5B.1-2.

hardstand car parking

new driveway from space for secondary
secondary street dwelling

SITE DESIGN
T

secondary dwelling
E
secondary frontage
E

principal dwelling
R

principal
dwelling
T

driveway
S

primary frontage

S T R E E T
Figure 5B.1-2:
Separate vehicle access for secondary dwelling from a
secondary street.

p 5-13
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SECONDARY
DWELLINGS 5B.2  CAR PARKING PROVISION

Objectives Controls

1 To minimise the impact of
additional parking on the
streetscape.
2 To enable functional off
street car parking spaces
for the principal and
secondary dwelling.
1 Car parking for secondary dwellings is to be limited to an open
hardstand area only (the car parking hardstand space is to be a
minimum of 2.5m wide x 5.4m long). No garage or carport structure
will be permitted.
2 Where possible, hardstand area for the secondary dwelling is to be
screened by landscaping.
3 The parking space for the secondary dwelling is to have direct
access that will not obstruct the driveway of the principal dwelling.
Stacked car parking will not be permitted.

4 The following car parking rates are applicable for secondary

dwellings:

Secondary Min. car parking spaces required Max. car

dwelling parking spaces
accommodation required
Studio/bedsit 0 1
1 bedroom 0 1
2 bedrooms 1 1
Or 0 - if within 400m walking
distance of a railway station or
a bus stop within a strategic bus
corridor.
Note: Secondary dwelling parking requirements are in addition to the
requirements for the principal dwelling.

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 5C

PART

BUILDING DESIGN AND SUSTAINABILITY

5C Building Design and Sustainability
5C.1  Solar Access
5C.2  Private Open Space
5C.3  Building Envelopes
5C.4  Building and Room Sizes
5C.5  Building Appearance
5C.6  Building Services
5C.7  Visual and Acoustic Privacy
5C.8  Storage and Utility Areas

READ WITH
SECTION A
PART 4 - Dwelling Houses
4C.1: Building Envelopes

SECTION C
PART 23 - General Building Design and Sustainability
23.8: General Acoustic Privacy
23.9: General Visual Privacy

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SECONDARY
DWELLINGS
Objectives
1 To ensure secondary
dwellings have good
internal amenity with direct
access to daylight in all
habitable rooms.
2 To ensure secondary
dwellings do not
negatively impact on solar
access to the living areas
or private open space of
neighbouring properties.
3 To minimise the impact
of new buildings and
works on solar collection
devices.
p 5-16
Ku-ring-gai Development Control Plan
5C.1  SOLAR ACCESS
Controls
1 All habitable rooms of secondary dwellings are to have a window.
The use of skylights or highlight windows as the primary source of
daylight and ventilation is prohibited.
2 The secondary dwelling is to achieve at least 3 hours solar access
between 9am and 3pm on 21st June to living areas and private open
space unless no practicable alternative is available.
3 Secondary dwellings are to maintain at least 3 hours solar access
between 9am and 3pm on the 21st June to the living spaces and
private open spaces of the principal dwelling.
4 Secondary dwellings are to maintain at least 4 hours solar access
between 9am and 3pm on the 21st June to the living spaces and
private open spaces of the neighbouring dwellings.
5 Secondary dwellings are not to overshadow existing solar panels/
photovoltaic cells of the principal dwelling or neighbouring dwellings.
6 Where existing overshadowing by buildings is greater than that
permitted in 5C.1(2-5) of this Part, sunlight is not to be reduced by
more than 20%.
 5C.2  PRIVATE OPEN SPACE
5C

BUILDING DESIGN AND SUSTAINABILITY

Objectives Controls

1 To provide useable 1 Private open space for the secondary dwelling is to lead directly off
outdoor space to all the internal living area.
secondary dwellings.
2 A secondary dwelling at ground level is to have a minimum
2 To retain adequate nominated useable private open space area of 25m2, with a
private open space for the minimum dimension of 3.0 metres. This area may be located within
principal dwelling. the secondary dwelling setbacks.

3 Freestanding walls or fencing are not to be used to separate or

screen the private ground floor open space of a secondary dwelling.
Landscaping may be used as a screening device.

4 A secondary dwelling on the first floor level is to have an allocated

private open space such as a balcony or terrace that is accessible
directly from the living area. The minimum provision is indicated in
the table below:

Type Minimum Balcony/ Minimum Dimension

Terrace Requirement Requirement
Studio 8m2
1 bedroom 10m2 2.4m
2 bedrooms 12m2

5 Where a first floor secondary dwelling proposal demonstrates that it

is unable to provide private open space upon the first floor, Council
may consider provision of that space at the ground level in line with
5C.2 (2) of this Part, at a location directly visible from the first floor
living area of the secondary dwelling.

6 Private open space is to be orientated to receive a minimum 3

hours of solar access between 9am and 3pm on 21st June where
practicable.

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SECONDARY
DWELLINGS 5C.3  BUILDING ENVELOPES

Further controls that may apply

SECTION A
PART 4C.1 - Building Envelopes

Objectives Controls
1 To ensure the secondary 1 Heights of all secondary dwellings attached and detached are to
dwelling is integrated with comply with the building height plane controls applicable to the
the principal dwelling and principal dwelling as illustrated in Figure 5C.3-1, and as stated within
does not dominate the Part 4C.1.
principal dwelling.

Secondary dwelling within

Line of building height plane the principal dwelling
9.5m maximum building height

45° 45°
4.0m

4.0m
2500
2500

2500

2500 2500

side setback side setback

Figure 5C.3-1:
Building height plane- secondary dwelling within the principal dwelling.

p 5-18
Ku-ring-gai Development Control Plan

Objectives
1 To protect the streetscape
and the amenity of
neighbouring properties
by controlling building bulk
and scale and associated
overlooking.
2 To ensure that the
secondary dwelling has
functional internal areas
with high amenity.
5C.4  BUILDING AND ROOM SIZES
5C
BUILDING DESIGN AND SUSTAINABILITY
Controls
1 The minimum floor area for a secondary dwelling is 40m2 except
where the secondary dwelling is located over an existing double
garage where the application will be considered on merit.
Note: The maximum floor area of a secondary dwelling is referred to in
Clause 5.4(9) of KLEP which states: If development for the purposes of a
secondary dwelling is permitted under this Plan, the total floor area of the
dwelling (excluding any area used for parking) must not exceed whichever
of the following is the greater:
(a) 60 square metres,
(b) 25% of the total floor area of the principal dwelling.
2 A maximum of two bedrooms are permitted within the secondary
dwelling.
3 All bedrooms and living spaces are to have a minimum plan
dimension of 3m, excluding wardrobe space. Refer Figure 5C.4-1.
4 The secondary dwelling is to function as an independent dwelling,
and include a kitchen, bathroom and laundry.
min 3m
Ba
lc
m
min 3m
on
in
y
3m
min 3m
min 3m
Wardrobe
Wardrobe
Figure 5C.4-1:
Minimum plan dimension 3m x 3m for habitable rooms
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SECONDARY
DWELLINGS
Objectives
1 To ensure the streetscape
and dwelling character
of the neighbourhood is
maintained.
2 To integrate attached
secondary dwellings with
the principal dwelling, so
that it appears as a single
house when viewed from
the street.
3 To ensure that detached
secondary dwellings
are visually linked to the
principal dwelling.
p 5-20
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5C.5  BUILDING APPEARANCE
Controls
1 The secondary dwelling is to incorporate similar or complementary
design and construction features, finishes, materials and colours to
the principal dwelling.
2 Attached secondary dwellings are to be integrated into the principal
dwelling and to maintain the appearance of a single house by
utilising similar proportions, height, roof shape, fenestration, material
and finishes as the principal dwelling.
3 Detached secondary dwellings are to be sympathetic to the design
of the principal dwelling in terms of its roof shape, fenestration,
materials and finishes.
4 The entry to the secondary dwelling is not to conflict with the
prominence of the entry to the principal dwelling (Refer Figure 5C.5-1).
 5C.6  BUILDING SERVICES
5C

BUILDING DESIGN AND SUSTAINABILITY

Objectives Controls

1 To ensure the secondary 1 Services provided to the secondary dwelling are to include:
dwelling and the principal
i) water and sewerage;
dwelling are able to
operate as independent ii) electricity;
dwellings.
iii) gas;
2 To encourage the iv) telephone and internet;
conservation of water and
energy. v) waste storage and collection;
vi) letterbox.

2 Separate provision and metering of water, electricity and gas are

to be provided to ensure the secondary dwelling may be billed
separately by infrastructure providers.

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SECONDARY
DWELLINGS 5C.7  VISUAL AND ACOUSTIC PRIVACY

Further controls that may apply

SECTION C
PART 23.8 - General Acoustic Privacy
PART 23.9 - General Visual Privacy

Objectives Controls
1 To maintain the visual and 1 Windows and private open space areas of secondary dwellings are
acoustic privacy of the to protect the privacy of the principal dwelling and of neighbouring
occupants of principal and properties. Methods of achieving this include, but are not limited to,
neighbouring dwellings. the following:

2 To ensure visual and i) locate private open space, balconies and windows so that they
acoustic privacy for do not look into the principal or neighbouring dwellings, refer to
occupants of the Figure 5C.7-1;
secondary dwelling. ii) offset windows / balconies / private open space to avoid
overlooking and privacy intrusion.

2 Noise generating equipment related to the secondary dwelling is

to be located away from the bedroom windows of the secondary
dwelling, the principal dwelling and neighbouring dwellings.

3 For requirements on noise levels associated with air conditioning,

kitchen, bathroom, laundry ventilation, or other mechanical
ventilation systems and other plant refer to Part 23.8 of this DCP.

4 Floors, walls and doors that connect the secondary dwelling to the
principal dwelling are to meet the noise transmission and insulation
requirements of the BCA and AS 2107 (1987).

secondary
dwelling private
open space
balcony offset
and concealed visual privacy
with landscaping ensured with
setbacks and
secondary
secondary landscaping
dwelling
dwelling
principal dwelling
window outlook
window
outlook

principal dwelling
living area

S T R E E T S T R E E T

Figure 5C.7-1:
Windows, balconies, private open space must be located to avoid visual intrusion.

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 5C
5C.8  STORAGE AND UTILITY AREAS
5C

BUILDING DESIGN AND SUSTAINABILITY

Objectives Controls

1 To ensure storage 1 All secondary dwellings are to provide internal storage space in
provision and access to a accordance with the following table:
utility area.
Type Minimum storage space requirement
Studio 3m3
1 Bedroom 6m3
2 Bedroom 8m3

2 Where separate clothes lines and bins storage areas are provided
for the secondary dwelling, they are:
i) to be screened so that they are not visible from the street;
ii) to be screened from the principal dwelling; and
iii) not to compromise the amenity of entry into the secondary
dwelling.

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SECONDARY
DWELLINGS

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